Written by

Eric Weddle
eweddle@jconline.com

That's not science fiction, but rather a Pentagon-sponsored contest for researchers, including some at Purdue University, to develop software for robots that would aid humans in disasters, from a tornado to a nuclear meltdown.

The Defense Advance Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, is offering $2 million to a team that can best develop a robot capable of maneuvering in dangerous and complex situations. It must be able to drive a vehicle, walk on uneven terrain, remove debris, use a tool to break through a concrete wall, and locate and shut off a leaky valve. ...